i have a Bernina 180 Artista which i bought second hand and I am :oops: embarassed to say I have only used the basic things on it like walking foot, 1/4 inch foot, straight stitch, zig zag and have only practised very few decorative stitches...one day when i get big and brave i may try a few new things....like the embroidery stuff that came with it and the free hand system etc, etc..

My favorite 2 options are on my Janome 6600 are the knee lifter, (so I can sew using both hands espec on applique) and my automatic thread cutter....oh, and I like the drop in bobbin (way cool there!)oh, and my needle threader to get that thread in the needle....oh, the speed...oh, and the throat room....oh, I better quit now:)As you can see, I just love this machine...we get along so great!! Skeat

I have a 12 year old small singer that came from Wall Mart.
It has a few fancy stitches, which I have never used. :D
I use the foot that came on it
forward
backwards
bobbin filler
foot pedal
and when I can't find my scissors, the thread cutter!! :D

BUT, in my dreams, I have a embroidery machine and one of those fancy Berninas that do every thing and I have nothing else that I have to do but sew.sew, sew! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Mostly I just use a #12 quilting needle and a thimble!

So all of you that have the fancy things. remember me on my Birthday! :lol: :lol: ( I just remembered, I stopped having them 10 years ago.)

I have a Juki TL98QE and a Bernina Activa 210. I use the knee lifter on both daily, open toe free motion foot, and quarter inch foot.

I do occasionally need a walking foot for binding, but that's the only thing I need it for. I recently purchased a high powered LED light for both machines, but unfortunately it's almost too bright - blinding - so I rarely turn it on.

I've also owned an Activa 240 and never once used all the extra stitches. It's really unnecessary!

My new favorite features of my new sewing machine are the needle up/down and the threader. I doubt I'll really use the fancier stitches any time soon so they're not a high priority on my list, but they're still there!

Needle down and stay stitch are what I use most.
I love the 10inch throat, that is my favorite feature.
My machine does lots of stuff but have not used it. Even forgot how to use the fancy stitchs.
I would like an embroidery machine that has a large area so I could quilt blocks with fancy designs.